After a standout campaign that saw six of its 11 teams reach the Easterns Junior Cricket finals – with five crowned champions – Benoni Northerns Junior Cricket Club (BNJCC) honoured its rising stars at a prize-giving ceremony held at the Ted Jarvis Field on April 11.

It was a fitting setting for the occasion, with Ted Jarvis himself watching proudly from the front row.
Former junior cricketer and current premier league coach Mark Robey served as MC, underscoring the club’s strong tradition of nurturing talent from grassroots to senior level.

“This is the reason we started the BNSC. This is the future of the club,” said Jarvis.

In the presence of guests of honour, former Eastern Storm and Titans captain Grant Thomson and Easterns Cricket Union CEO Wesley Coulentianos, the young cricketers took to the stage in their whites, beaming with pride after a season of exceptional performances across all age groups from U8 to U14.

Chairperson Sean Howard praised both players and coaches, highlighting the club’s continued commitment to development.

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“This dominance stands as a testament to the club’s commitment to player development, structured coaching and fostering a lasting passion for the game among young cricketers,” said Howard.

Thomson, who recently retired, shared a heartfelt message, urging the youngsters to prioritise enjoyment over pressure.

“I played the best cricket of my life when I simply went out to enjoy it,” he said.

“I lost my contract at 27 and fell out of love with the game. When I returned, I made a decision to just have fun because you never know how many games you have left.”

Marichelle Lubbe emerged as the standout performer, taking home the player of the year award. Quade Vorster was recognised for scoring the most centuries, while Keegan Wise received the prestigious Kerri Wilson Trophy.

Justin dos Santos was named coach of the year, and the U12 Impala One side earned team of the year honours. Lubbe, Riaan Botha and Vorster were also rewarded with commemorative bats for their outstanding run-scoring efforts.

Individual award winners:

U8 Impala

• Best batsman: Ryan Pieterse
• Best bowler: Aiden Robins
• All-rounder of the season: Declan Barnes
• Coach’s choice award: Jamie Jansen van Rensburg

U8 Kingham

• Best batsman: Mikhail Keel
• Best bowler: Taelen van Staden
• All-rounder of the season: Jordan Luke Pretorius
• Coach’s choice award: Jamie Cattell

U10 Impala 1

• Best batsman: Hanru Green
• Best bowler: Owen Howard
• All-rounder of the season: Nixon Grobler
• Coach’s choice award: Caleb Ryzenberg

U10 Impala 2

• Best batsman: Declan Cuthbert
• Best bowler: Mason Towers
• All-rounder of the season: Gia Demos
• Coach’s choice award: Travis Kok

U10 Kingham

• Best batsman: Rylan Thompson
• Best bowler: Owen Lues
• All-rounder of the season: Maverick Fenton
• Coach’s choice award: Ewan Mackinnon

U10 Sibali

• Best batsman: Simi Makwakwa
• Best bowler: Aaron Luke Smuts
• All-rounder of the season: Ethan Delport
• Coach’s choice award: Grayson Carter

U12 Impala 1

• Best batsman: Quade Vorster

• Best bowler: Travis Austen

• All-rounder of the season: Daniel Garner
• Coach’s choice award: Jesse McGalpine

U12 Platinum

• Best batsman: Troy Grobler
• Best bowler: Adante Hattingh
• All-rounder of the season: Marichelle Lubbe
• Coach’s choice award: Kaleb Vallejo

U12 Kingham

• Best batsman: Blake Geral
• Best bowler: Keegan Reid
• All-rounder of the season: Travis Herbst
• Coach’s choice award: Mason Metcalfe

U12 Sibali

• Best batsman: Mahir Nair
• Best bowler: Oratilwe Mofokeng
• All-rounder of the season: Nicholas Turner
• Coach’s choice award: Liam van Eeden

U14 Impala

• Best batsman: Ross Taylor
• Best bowler: Thomas Holmes
• All-rounder of the season: Gethin Landon
• Coach’s choice award: Henrico Paulsen

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